David Marlatt

Camille Saint-Saens

Danse Macabre (Dance of Death) was inspired by a poem of Henri Cazalis: Zig, zig, zig, Death in a cadence, Striking with his heel a tomb, Death at midnight plays a dance-tune, Zig, zig, zig, on his violin. Saint-Saens great use of melody and dissonance makes this an orchestral classic, and now a classic for quintet.

Score and Parts

Danse Macabre

Felix Alexandre Guilmant

This brilliant fanfare piece, written by the French organ giant Alexandre Guilmant, was written for both organ and orchestra and organ alone. No one knows which version came first but both have enjoyed popularity by players and audiences. Powerful and colorful, this work lends itself very well to concert band. (3:40)

Conductor Score & Parts

Final Alla Schumann, Op. 83

This folk song is particularly notable for its use in a number of well known folk-song arrangements, one by the English composer Benjamin Britten.

Early One Morning

William Henry Monk

This beautiful hymn has been arranged to feature all the members in a quintet. This arrangement opens with a short introduction then proceeds through several verses. Each verse is scored differently for interest with the melody wandering throughout the ensemble.

Abide with Me

Pietro Mascagni

This elegant intermezzo is the most famous part of this opera. It opens quietly, builds, then ends as it began. Melody is in the trumpets and horn and no part is too difficult or taxing. This beautiful melody is a great slow work for a concert or ceremony.

Intermezzo (from Cavalleria Rusticana)

Richard Strauss

This is one of the most famous brass choir moments in all the orchestral literature. Made even more famous by its use in the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey, this distinct, grand and simple work makes an awesome beginning to any concert or event.

Score & Parts

Fanfare from Also Sprach Zarathustra

William Byrd

Originally for solo keyboard, this piece has been successfully adapted for a variety of groups, including concert band, woodwind ensemble, large brass ensemble, and now sax quartet. This version is technically challenging for all players which maintains interest for the performers. (3:10)

Earl of Oxford's March

Gioacchino Rossini

One of the most popular songs of all time is now available to a young and developing brass quintet. With melody in both trumpet parts and the horn and interesting parts for all, this is a sure success for a quintet with players in the first few years of playing. Technical demands have been reduced without losing any of the excitement of the original work.

William Tell Overture

This beautiful hymn has been arranged to feature several players in the trombone quartet. This arrangement opens with a short introduction then proceeds through several verses. Each verse is scored differently for interest with the melody wandering throughout the ensemble.

All Things Bright and Beautiful

Johann Sebastian Bach

The legendary preludes and fugues of J.S. Bach have been adapted and arranged for many combinations of instruments. A popular ensemble to perform these pieces is the brass quintet. The melody in the technical prelude duet section is passed among all five players. In the fugue, the trumpets open with the statement, then it is sent throughout the group and ends with a powerful C minor chord (with an optional pedal C in the tuba).

Prelude and Fugue in C Minor

"Battle with the Frost Giants" is the third and final movement to The Hammer of Asgard, an original soundtrack style composition for brass and percussion. Using Norse mythology as the theme, The Hammer of Asgard introduces and explores the gods and other characters that make up these famous stories. Wailing "Hollywood horns," brilliant trumpets, energetic percussion writing, and powerful low brass parts make this fun to play for all and a wild adventure for audiences. (4:30)

From the Hammer of Asgard, Score & Parts

Battle With the Frost Giants

Felix Mendelssohn

Mendelssohn's Songs Without Words is an incredibly famous set of short pieces. This arrangement is of a song entitled Spinner lied or Song of the Spinners which is reminiscent of the famous encore piece The Flight of the Bumblebee by Rimsky-Korsakov. Technical parts are found all throughout the ensemble and if taken at the correct speed, you'll have your audiences dazzled! This arrangement is dedicated to the fantastic players of True North Brass.

The Flight of Another Bee

Giacomo Puccini

This is the ultimate tenor aria and has been arranged here for trumpet soloist and quintet. This version was requested and recorded by Jens Lindemann and the Italian Wonderbrass. A solo from the opening, this piece is ideal to show off a guest with the quintet. The original key has been raised to feature the soaring sound of the E-flat trumpet.

David Marlatt

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